NHTSA vehicle safety data
2004 BMW Z4 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2004 BMW Z4 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 411 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2004 BMW Z4, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2004 BMW Z4 owner complaints
Owners have filed 411 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 BMW Z4, describing incidents dated February 11, 2004 to June 9, 2025.
Most-cited components
- Steering 378 complaints
- Air Bags 18 complaints
- Electrical System 14 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 6 complaints
- Visibility/Wiper 4 complaints
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 3 complaints
Of the 411 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 2 a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11665759 · Filed
Twice this month, while operating the vehicle, the power steering completely stopped functioning, causing the vehicle to be almost uncontrollable. No prior warning light. When I purchased the vehicle in 2018, the same problem occurred and the dealer replaced the steering column under warranty. In…
ODI #11664730 · Filed
Power steering wheel went out of power during a trip at about 70mph. Yellow light at the dashboard went ON then so, car became imposible to drive or so.
ODI #11653689 · Filed
Power steering stopped working.
Owner-reported
2004 BMW Z4 mileage at failure
371 of the 411 complaints on file for the 2004 BMW Z4 give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.
| Component | Median | Middle half | Based on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | Median 45,000 miles | Middle half 30,000–65,000 miles | Based on 343 complaints |
A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.
Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.
These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.
Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2004 BMW Z4 in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Preliminary Evaluation PE10-020: Sticky Steering
Closed June 28, 2011
- Engineering Analysis EA08-001: BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
Closed December 31, 2008
BMW/ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP VAPOR LOCK
NHTSA #04V182000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice
Reported April 12, 2004 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Potentially affected: 13,769 vehicles
Owners notified May 11, 2004 · Vehicles built February 19, 2003 – October 13, 2003 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, UNDER CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, A VAPOR LOCK IN THE FUEL PUMP COULD OCCUR CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE RESTARTED FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 20 MINUTES.
Safety consequence
IF STALLING WERE TO OCCUR, THE DRIVER WOULD BE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE SPEED OR ACCELERATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RESISTOR IN THE ELECTRICAL LINE POWERING THE FUEL PUMP IN ORDER TO PREVENT AN OCCURRENCE OF VAPOR LOCK. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 11, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Notes
CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Other BMW Z4 model years
Check your 2004 BMW Z4 VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW Z4 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Check a BMW VIN